Paint spraying machine



Sept. 17, 1963 G. D. MINNICK PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. GERALD D. MINNICK BY W fifl/HMPM ATTORNEYSSept. 17, 1963 G. D. MINNICK PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 6, 1961 M m m m GERALD D. M\NNICK ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 G.D. MINNICK 3,104,181

PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.GERALD D. MINNICK W WPM ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 G. D. MlNNlCK PAINTSPRAYING MACHINE Filed NOV. 6, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. GERALDD. MINNICK ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 G. D. MINNICK PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 6, 1961 INVENTOR. GERALD D, MINNICK BY@MZMMw Fig ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 G. D. MINNICK PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 6, 1961 3 JNVENTOR.

GERALD D. MiNNICK BY W izma ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 G. D. MINNICK3,104,181

PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.GERALD D. MINNICK ATTORNEYS States atent 3,164,118 I Patented Sept. 17,1 963 Ohio Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 152,122 8 Claims. (Cl. 118-70)This invention relates to spray painting machines of the type whichpaint designs upon articles through openings in masks which are shapedto conform accurately to the surfaces of the articles adjacent theopenings and which are tightly fitted against such surfaces before spraypainting begins.

Heretofore, most of such machines have not been provided with means forremoving surplus coating compounds from the masks. The masks employed insuch machines either had to be cleaned of accumulated paint in an opentank or cleaned in a separate washing machine. Open tank cleaning usingvolatile solvents may be injurious to the health of machine operatorsand engenders explosion hazards. It wastes solvent, wastes time, andoften damages the masks. Separate washing machine cleaning of the masksconsumes time in transferring the masks and allows volatile solvent toescape into the atmosphere every time that the washing machine is openedand closed.

Other ones of the prior machines have not been provided with practicablemeans for removing surplus coating compounds from the masks. Some ofthese machines automatically wash the masks after each use and, thus,are not capable of allowing the masks to be used an optimum number oftimes before they are washed. Using a mask only once before washingresults in excessive consumption of solvent and requires a comparativelygreat number of masks. Other ones of these. machines in incorporatingmeans for washing the masks after they were used an optimum number oftimes became bulky, of great cost, slow in operation, used a largenumber of masks and wasted cleaning solvent. None of these priordevicescombine spray painting apparatus and mask washing equipment in onecompact machine which is relatively simple and relatively inexpensiveand which efficiently sprays articles through masks and which alsoefiiciently washes the masks after they have been used an optimum numberof times.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide acompact, simple, low-cost combination spray painting and mask washingmachine of rugged build which paints and washes efliciently and whichproduces work of the highest quality.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for sprayingarticles through masks, the machine being so organized that the act ofan attendant in bringing a clean mask into a painting stationautomatically moves dirty masks into such positions in washing stationsthat the entire masks automatically are washed completely.

A further object is to provide a combination spray painting and maskwashing machine which mask-cleaning solvent loss.

Still another object is to provide a combination spray painting and maskwashing machine which is so organized that various spray gun units, suchas reciprocating or rocking or rotating units, can be substituted onefor the other in a matter of minutes.

A further object is to provide a combination spray painting and maskwashing machine in which the masks are driven from station to stationunder the power of an attendant.

Another object is to provide a combination spray painting and maskwashing machine which needs a very small number of masks for itsoperation.

According to the invention, a compact combination spray painting andmask washing machine includes a mask carrier which is mounted to rotateabout a vertical axis and which moves four masks in a generally circularpath successively into a painting station, a two-section washingstation, and a drying station. No drive means other than the act of anattendant in rotating the mask carrier is required to drive and properlylocate the masks in the respective stations.

The masks are held in holders that are hinged on the carrier and thatare supported at their ends remote from the hinges on cam means. The actof the attendant, after a mask has been used an optimum number of times,in rotating the mask carrier to bring a clean mask from the dryingstation into the painting station drives a dirty mask into the washingstation, the respective hinged mask holder following the cam means tolower the dirty mask into the solvent. The positions of the masks arechanged by means of the cam means in the two sections of the washingstation to facilitate cleaning both sides of the masks.

The machine also features an arrangement of baffles which keeps loss ofsolvent to a minimum. An additional feature is in the mounting of thespray guns in special units that can be substituted one for the other ina matter of minutes. This permits the machine to be equipped with gunsthat are particularly well suited for the particular article to :bepainted. For example, the guns can be of the reciprocating, rocking, orrotating types.

A preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of the painting machine of theinvention, a front door being removed to reveal interior mechanism; 7

FIG. II is a view in perspective of the painting machine shown in FIG.I, with its cover removed, as seen from a position to the left of themachine;

FIG. III is a top plan view of the machine as shown in FIG. II with amask carrier removed to reveal interior details;

FIG. IV is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the lineIV-IV of FIG. II, the cover which is shown in FIG. I being in place;

FIG. V is a vertical sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. II,the cover which is shown in FIG. I being in place;

FIG. VI is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lineVI-VI of FIG. II, the mask carrier being rotated to show a mask in placeon the carrier;

FIG. VII is a vertical sectional view taken along the line VII-VII ofFIG. II, the mask carrier being rotated to show -a mask in place on thecarrier;

' FIG. VIII is a vertical sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIIIof FIG. III, the mask carrier which is shown in FIG. II being in place;

FIG. IX is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the lineIX-IX of FIG. II; and

FIG. X is a simplified top plan view generally simila to FIG. IIIshowing a modified painting machine.

These specific figures are intended merely to illustrate the inventionbut not necessarily to limit its scope.

The combination painting and mask washing machine of the inventionincludes a base or cabinet 1 that supports angle irons 2 (FIGS. II andIII) which form its upper side, rear, and front marginal edges. Anopentopped solvent tank 3 is suitably mounted within the base 1 at anangle to the sides of the base as shown in FIG. III and at an elevationas shown in FIG. I, the bottom of the tank 3 as seen in FIG. I beingabout flush with the upper surface of a shelf 4 of a spray guncompartment 5 in the base.

A spray gun 6 within the gun compartment 5, which normally is closed bya door which is not shown, is mounted on a frame 7. As specificallyshown, the gun 6 is reciprocable in a track 8 and is reciprocated bymeans of drive mechanism that is hidden behind a plate 9 secured to theframe 7. Drive mechanism for reciprocating paint spray guns is shown anddescribed in U.S. Patent No. 2,795,206, issued on June 11, 1957, to E.L. Faber. The gun 6 can be given any suitable motion or it can bestationarily mounted to adapt the machine for painting articles ofvarious sizes and shapes. Apparatus for rocking spray guns to evenlypaint non-planar surfaces is shown and described in U.S. applicationSerial No. 507,535, filed May 11, 1955, now abandoned, in the name of H.E. MacArthur. Apparatus for rotating spray guns to evenly paintnon-planar surfaces is shown and described in U.S. application SerialNo. 533,179, filed September 8, 1955, now US. Patent No. 2,888,903, inthe name of E. L. Faber. The gun 6 is served by a paint supply line 10,an atomizing air supply line 11, and a trigger air supply line 12 in theusual way. More than one gun may be used if that is desirable.

The frame 7 is readily removable from the base 1 by sliding it in onangle irons 14 (FIG. III) which function as stationary tracks. Couplings15 mounted on the base 1 serve to detachably connect the gun 6 tosources of paint and air. When the frame 7 is in place, its uppersurface 16 is flush with the upper surface of the shelf 4 and togetherthe surface 16 of the frame and the shelf 4 define the lower limits ofthe gun compartment which has a rear wall 117 and a side wall 18 inwhich a discharge port 19 is formed. Suitable exhaust equipment filtersand discharges fumes through a stack which communicates with the port 19to maintain an atmosphere free from coating or painting compounds. Thebase 1 is shown in FIG. III as it appears with the gun 6 uncoupled andthe frame 7 removed from the base.

One of the features of the machine is the mounting of the spray gun 6and the drive means therefor on a readily removable frame so that thegun and its drive means can be substituted by others in a matter ofminutes. A gun having one type of motion is uncoupled, the frame 7removed, another frame 7 with a gun having another type of motion placedin the machine, the new gun coupled, and the machine is ready for actionwith a gun that is particularly well suited for the particular articleto be painted. If the gun is one mounted to move while it is spraying,ordinarily it is moved continuously. For example, the gun 6 isreciprocated continuously in the track 8 and after a spraying cycle isinitiated by the machine operator stepping on a foot pedal (not shown)sprays for a timed interval. Means for starting the air blast of thesprayer after such means is actuated by the act of the operator, meansfor automatically stopping such air blast after a predeterminedinterval, and means for adjusting the duration of such predeterminedinterval are shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,810,364, issuedOctober 22, 1957, in the names of H. E. MacArthur and E. L. Faber.

The upper edge of the solvent tank 3 at the center of the machinesupports a round plate 20, the plate 20 being welded to the tank andsupported on angle brackets (not shown) secured to the tank, to which isfixed a bearing housing 21 which contains a bearing that receives forrotation the necked down lower end of a cylinder 22 (FIG. IX) into theupper end of which a vertical shaft 23 is threaded. The upper end of thecylinder 22 is made square and fits into an octagonal hole 24 in themiddle of a circularly shaped mask carrier 25, a lock nut 26 keeping themask carrier 25 on the top of the cylinder 22. A square upper end 27 ofthe shaft 23- is reccived in an opening 28 (FIG. II) of a hub 29 fromwhich four handles 30 project horizontally at ninety grce intervals.

The mask carrier 25 is assembled to be rotatable about the vertical axisof the shaft 23 by first threading the shaft 23 into the square upperend of the cylinder 22, indexing keyways (not shown) in the shaft andcylinder serving to locate the square upper end 27 of the shaft 23relative to the square upper end of the cylinder 22 and to receive a keyfor maintaining the relative positions of the shaft and the cylinder.The square upper end of the cylinder 22 then is received in theoctagonal hole in the mask carrier 25, one position of the square end ofthe cylinder 22 in the octagonal hole 24 locating the handles 30relative to the mask carrier 25 as shown in FIG. II and a secondposition of the square end of the cylinder 22 in the octagonal hole 24locating the handles 30 in positions forty-five degrees offset fromtheir positions shown in FIG. II. The nut 26 then is turned on the shaft23 to insure that the shaft 23, mask carrier 25, and cylinder 22 staytogether as a unit. The necked down lower end of the cylinder 22 isreceived for rotation in the bearing in the housing 21, the cylinder 22extending down into such bearing a distance determined by meanshereinafter described. This locates the mask carrier 25 on the base 1 asshown in FIG. II; however, at this point in the assembly the handles 30are not yet on the shaft 23 as shown in FIG. IX. Then a cover 31 isplaced over the machine as shown in FIG. I with the shaft 23 extendingthrough an opening in the cover, and the hub 29 is assembled on thesquare upper end 27 of the shaft 23 to locate the handles 30 in ahorizontal position above the cover 31 as also shown in FIG. I. Thisrotatably mounts the mask carrier 25 in a horizontal position andconnects the handles 30 to the mask carrier 25 so that they move as one.The front of the cover 31 is so formed as to allow access to that partof the mask carrier 25 which happens to be located at the front of themachine as illustrated in FIG. I. The cover 31 is provided with a pairof angle brackets 32 spaced along its front edge and a like pair on itsrear edge. Each one of the front angle brackets 32 one of which is shownin FIG. V rests upon the angle iron 2 that forms the front marginalupper edge of the base 1, the rear angle brackets which are not shownresting upon the angle iron 2 that forms the rear marginal upper edge ofthe base 1.

A continuous rigid cam track 33 is secured as by welding to blocks 34fixed to the front and right hand angle irons 2 as viewed in FIG. IIIand to the bottom of the solvent tank 3 at 35. From about point A (FIG.III) clockwise around to about point B, the cam track 33 is in asubstantially horizontal plane. From about point B, the cam track 33dips smoothly into the solvent tank 3 to about point C Where it is closeto the bottom of the solvent tank but not so close that the part of themask carrier 25 which follows the cam track 33 as hereinafter describedtouches the bottom of the solvent tank, and then rises from about pointC in a smooth curve to about point A. A short-sectioned cam track 36 isspaced a matter of an inch or two from the continuous cam track 33; itis welded to the bottom of the solvent tank 3 at 37 and extends fromsuch weld point in juxtaposition with the continuous cam track 33 to itsupper end 38. Suitable brackets (not shown) secured to the base 1rigidly support the upper end 38 of the cam track 36.

The mask carrier 25 is provided with four equally spaced openings 39each of which receives a mask holder 40 which is so hinged at 411 thatit is free to pivot downwardly under the influence of gravity asillustrated in FIGS. II and IV. Each of the mask holders 40 at its frontedge, i.e., its edge remote from its hinge 41, is provided with a finger42 on its lower side as shown in FIGS. IV and V. When the mask carrier25 is assembled to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the shaft 23as hereinbefore described, it is supported for sliding on the continuouscam track 33 from point A (FIG. Ill) clockwise around to point B, thoseof the fingers 42 which happen to be at such section of the cam track33- resting upon the cam track as shown in FIG. V. As also shown in FIG.V, the fingers 4-2 so limit upward pivotal movement of the mask holders40 that in their upper positions the top surfaces of the mask holdersare flush with the top surface of the mask carrier 25. The rest of themask carrier 25, i.e., from point B clockwise around to point A, issupported on a pair of lubricated shoes 43 secured to the upper surfacesof the angle irons 2, those of the fingers 42 which happen to be at suchsection of the cam track 33 following the cam track 33 into the solventtank 3 as shown in FIG. II so that the outer edge of the mask carrier 25itself bears on the shoes 43 as shown in FIG. IV. The supporting of themask carrier 25 to be slidable on the continuous cam track 33 and on theshoes 43 holds it in a substantially horizontal plane from which itcannot be tipped and limits the distance that the necked down lower endof the cylinder 22 (FIG. IX) can extend down into the bearing housing21.

The mask carrier 25 is manually rotated, the machine operator graspingthe handles 34 from a position in front of the machine as seen in FIG.I. The mask holder 40 which can be seen in FIG. I is in a paintingstation 44, the next mask holder clockwise around the machine is in afirst section 45 (FIG. II) of a washing station, the next mask holder isin a second section 46 of the wash: ing station, and the next maskholder is in a drying station 47. During clockwise rotation of the maskcarrier 25, the fingers 42 on the ends of the hinged mask holders 40follow the continuous cam track 33 to automatically position the maskholders horizontally in the drying and pain-ting stations and toautomatically dip the mask holders into the solvent tank 3 in thewashing station as shown in FIG. II.

The free end of each of the fingers 42 on the mask holders 24 has a camsurface 43 (FIG. VI) which is contacted by the sharp edge 49 of a finger58' stationarily secured to the left hand angle iron 2 as viewed in FIG.III during rotation of the mask carrier 25. This cams the mask holders4& downwardly to break them away from excess paint that might hold themto the mask carrier 25 and insures that the mask holders 4-6 start downthe slope 51 (FIG. VI) on the cam track 33 leading into the solvent tank3-. The cam track 33' is spaced far enough above the bottom of thesolvent tank that the free ends of the fingers 42 on the mask holders 40cannot drag on the bottom of the tank. In case the machine operatorturns the mask carrier 25 violently, movement of the mask holders 40 inan upwardly direction from the cam track 33 at the slope 51 is limitedby the track 36 closely spaced therefrom. This insures that the maskholders 4e are always positioned in the washing station as shown in FIG.II with their fingers 42 held by gravity against the cam track 33 asshown in FIG. IV.

Each of the mask holders 40* has a relieved edged opening 52, i.e., anopening with a lip, for receiving a mask 53 (FIGS. VI and VII) and aclip 54 (FIG. VI) adapted to releasably fasten the mask in the opening,there being a handle 55 on the mask for its convenient handling. A mask53 is shown in vertical section in FIG. VII; it has a matrix portion 56formed, for example, electrolytically, to fit accurately the face of anarticle to be coated or decorated, and has a pattern cut away topermitthe application of sprayed coating through openings 57 to one or moreareas on the article corresponding to the cut away pattern. The spraygun 6 (-FIG. I) is so oriented as to direct its blast through thecutouts 57 in the matrix portion 56 of that one of the masks 53 whichhappens to be located in the painting station 44 at the front of themachine, the machine operator standing in front of the machine andholding the article being sprayed tightly against the mask while thespraying takes place.

Another one of the features of the machine is the organautomatically arewashed completely. A motor-driven impeller 58, mounted on a side of thesolvent tank 3, which is run continuously while the machine is inoperation and which is turned on and 01f by means of a switch 59(FIG. 1) creates a stream in the solvent 60 (FIG. VIII) within the tank3 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. III. Each of the masks53 while it is located in the first section 45 of the washing station ispositioned as indicated in FIG. II with its back generally to theoncoming stream. However, each of the masks 53 while it is located inthe second section 4-6 of the washing station is positioned as indicatedin FIG. II with its front generally to the oncoming stream. Thisfacilitates cleaning and insures that both sides of each DI the masksare Washed completely. Furthermore, such repositioning of the masks isdone automitically, the fingers 42 on the mask holders 40 fiollowing theslope 51 of the cam track 33 into the solvent tank 3 and then inwardlytoward the center of the machine to point C (FIG. III) and thenoutwardly away from the center of the machine and up the slope to pointA. In the stopped position of the mask carrier 25, two of the masks 53are immersed in the solvent at any one time, their stay in the solventbeing long enough even in the shortest painting cycle to completely freethem of paint. The simple immersion of the masks in the solvent resultsin an efficient washing cycle, the machine producing work of the highestquality by means of the perfectly clean masks. The auto maticpositioning of the masks in the washing station results in a greatsavings in time as compared to the time lost in an ordinary systemwherein the machine operator removes a dirty mask from a prior paintingmachine and takes it to a separate washing machine. Only a number ofmasks (four) are needed for the operation of the machine. This helps inkeeping the cost low.

Four equally spaced apart cams 61 are secured to the peripheral edge ofthe mask carrier 25 and each includes a front curved portion '62. thatcontains a notch 63 and a rear fiat abutment surface 64. In theoperating position of the mask carrier 25', an indexing finger '65 onthe end of a lever 66 that is fulcrumed intermediate its ends at 67 isreceived in that one of the notches 63 which happens to be intermediatethe sections 45 and 46 of the washing station. The fulcrum for the lever66 is supported atop a post 68 secured to a plate 69t1hat is welded totwo of the channel irons 2 in a position such that the upper surface ofthe plate and the upper surfaces of the channel irons are about flush. Acoil spring 70 between a stationary bracket 71 on the plate 69 and theend of the lever 66 remote from the indexing finger 65 on the leverurges the indexing finger 65- continuously in a counterclockwisedirection about the pivot 67 as viewed in FIG. II. Also, in theoperating position of the mask carrier 2'5, an anti-backup pawl 72pivotally mounted on one of the angle irons 2 at the drying station 47engages that one of the rear fiat abutment surfaces 64 which happens tobe at the drying station. The pawl 72 is so urged by a coil spring 73connecting a stationary bracket 7 4- on the angle iron 2. and the pawlthat its abutment engaging tip 75 is continuously biased toward the maskcarrier 25. Engagement of the tip 75 with the abutment surface '64 ofthe cam 61 prevents backward motion, i.e., counterclockwise movement asviewed in FIG. II, of the mask carrier 25.

When the operator desires to exchange a clean mask 53 for a dirty one,he presses a release button '76 on the front of the base 1. .This admitscompressed air to a pneumatic cylinder 77 secured to the plate 6 9,whereupon the cylinders piston rod 78 is extended to drive the lever 66clockwise about the fulcrum 67 withdrawing the indexing finger 65 inopposition to the spring 70 from the notch 63. An ordinary return springwithin the cylinder 77 returns the piston rod 78 to its retractedposition upon release of the air pressure. The operator then grasps oneof the handles 30 and turns the mask carrier 25 until the spring biasedindexing finger 65 catches in the next notch 63. This indexes the maskcarrier 25 for a turn of ninety degrees and properly locates the masks53 in the respective painting, washing, and drying stations with theanti-backup pawl 72 in position to prevent inadvertent movement of themask carrier 25 in the wrong direction. As the mask carrier 25 isturned, the tip 75 of the pawl 72 drags along the cam 61 until it fallsin place behind it when the mask carrier 25 is indexed by the indexingfinger 65 riding up the front curved portion 62 of the cam 61 andcatching in the notch 63.

Also, as the mask carrier 25 is turned, a spring biased cam followingroller 79 rides up the front curved portion 62 of the cam 61 and rollsalong the full length of the cam. While the cam following roller 79contacts one of the cams 61 it causes a normally closed valve 80 to beheld open. The open valve 80 permits compressed air to flow from asuitable source to a perforated blowolf pipe 81 which emits a blast of.air upon the mask 53 that passes closely underneath it as illustratedin FIG. VII. The pipe 81 is pivotally mounted by means of an elbow 82 onthe valve 80 so that the pipe 81 can be swung out of the way for removalof the mask carrier 25 from the base 1. The air blast blows pockets ofexcess solvent from the masks 53, the masks air drying in the dryingstation 47. The number of times that each of the masks 53 is useddepends on variables such as the shape of the articles to be painted andthe characteristics of the painting compounds. The optimum number isdetermined by trial and error at the beginning of a run of work andthereafter the operator changes the mask every time that it has beenused the predetermined number of times.

No drive means other than the act of the operator in rotating the maskcarrier 25 is required to drive and properly locate the masks in therespective stations. Such act, after a mask has been used an optimumnumber of times, rotates the mask carrier ninety degrees, whereupon itautomatically is stopped in an indexed position by the finger 65catching in one of the notches 63, to bring a clean mask from the dryingstation 47 and drives a dirty mask into the first section 45 of thewashing station, the respective hinged mask holder following thecontinuous cam track 33 to immerse the dirty mask in the solvent. Whilethe masks 53 are positioned in the respective stations, the operatingroller 79 of the air valve 80 rests on the edge of the mask carrier 25between a pair of earns 61 as shown in FIG. 11 so i at while the maskcarrier is stopped in its indexed position no air blast is emitted fromthe perforated pipe 81.

Another one of the features of the painting machine is in an arrangementof bafiles and drip pans which keeps loss of solvent 60 to a minimum.Unacceptable high loss of solvent from prior combination spray paintingand mask washing machines is reason enough in itself for the relativenon-success of such prior machines. A drip pan 83 (FIG. III) which has aturned up edge 84 is secured as by welding to the base 1 underneath theright hand angle iron 2 as viewed in FIG. III and to a side of thesolvent tank 3. The pan 8 3 is tilted toward the tank 3 so that solventwhich drops into it from the masks 53 is returned to the tank 3 throughholes 85 in the side of the tank, one of such holes being shown in FIG.11. A drip plate 86 is secured as by weldingbetween the ends of the twotangle irons 2 at the upper right hand corner of the base 1 [as viewedin FIG. III. As shown in FIG. VIII, the drip plate 86 rests upon theupper edge of the solvent tank 3 and slants toward it to return solventblown upon it by the blow-off pipe 81 to the tank. A splash guard 87(FIGS. III and VIII) atop the rear one of the angle irons 2 returnsdroplets of solvent blown upon it by the blow-oif pipe 81 some directlyto the tank 3 and some indirectly by way of the drip plate 86. A secondsplash guard 88 which is welded at 89 to the top of an angle iron 2 andat 90 to the top of another angle iron 2 extends in a curve underneathand closely adjacent the periphery of the mask carrier 25 in theeffective area of the blow-off; it has a function similar to splashguard 87. Shields 91 at the front of the machine help confine paintspray to the spray gun compartment 5.

In order to prevent the draft that is created by the exhaust equipmentthrough the port 19 (FIG. I) from wastefully pulling vapor from thevolatile solvent out of the tank 3, a system of baffles is provided.This draft, however, aids in the air drying of the masks in the dryingstation 47. When the mask carrier 25 is in its stopped indexed positionas shown in FIG. II, a first baffie 92 that is formed from a pair ofangle irons 93 secured diametrically to the under side of the maskcarrier 25 has its lower edge 94 very closely spaced from the upper edgeof the solvent tank 3. This very close spacing which can be seen in FIG.II prevents significant solvent vapor flow over such edge of the tankinto the spray gun compartment 5 where it would be drawn out of theexhaust port 19. In such position of the mask carrier 25, a secondbaffie 95 which is identically the same as the first baflle 92 and whichis secured diametrically to the under side of the mask carrier 25 atright angles to the first baffle 92 is so positioned that upon aone-quarter revolution of the mask carrier 25 the second bafi'le 95 issubstituted in place of the first baffle 92. Hence, whenever the maskcarrier 25 is in its stopped indexed position, one or the other of thebaffles 92 and 95 is closely juxtaposed to the upper edge of the solventtank adjacent the gun compartment 5.

The support-ing of the mask carrier 25 to be slidable on the continuouscam track 33 and on the shoes 43 holds it in a substantially horizontalplane from which it cannot be tipped and limits the distance that thenecked down lower end of the cylinder 22 (FIG; IX) can extend down intothe bearing housing 21. The bearing in the bearing housing 21 may be anordinary self aligning bearing with an inner and an outer race.Alternatively, instead of allowing the entire weight of the mask carrier25 to be supported on the continuous cam track 33 and on the shoes 43,such necked down lower end of the cylinder 22 may be formed with ashoulder which is supported by the top of the inner race, a part of thelower end of the cylinder 22 extending as hereinbefore described downinto the hearing. In this arrangement, the inner race supports much ofthe load and, therefore, the mask carrier 25 can he slid on thecontinuous cam track 33 and on the shoes 43 with little effort.

In operation, the presure with which the atomizing air is supplied tothe gun 6 is indicated on an atomizing air pressure gauge 96 located onthe front of the machine, a knob 97 being manipulated to regulate thepressure of the atomizing air and a lever 98 being manipulated to turnsuch air on and off, and the pressure with which the machine air, forexample, the trigger air for the gun 6 and the lock air for the cylinder77, is supplied is indicated on a gauge 99 also located on the front ofthe machine, a knob 100 being manipulated to regulate the pressure ofthe machine air and a lever 101 being manipulated to turn such air onand 01f. The gun 6 is reciprocated continuously in the track 8 and aftera spraying cycle is initiated by the machine operator sprays for thetimed interval through the cutouts 57 in the matrix portion 56 of thatone of the masks 53 which happens to be located in the painting station44, the operator standing in front of the machine and holding thearticle to be painted tightly against the mask. After the mask 53 in thepainting station becomes fouled with excess paint, the operator unlocksthe mask carrier 25 by manipulating the button 76, grasps one of thehandles 30 and rotates the mask carrier one-quarter revolution until itautomatically is stopped in an indexed position by the finger 65catching in one of the notches 63. This brings a clean 9 mask from thedrying station 47 and drives a dirty mask into the first section 45 ofthe washing station, the respective hinged mask holder following thecontinuous cam'track 33 to immerse the dirty mask in the solvent in thetank 3. The machine then is ready for another series of painting cycles.

A modification of the painting machine is shown in FIG. X. Referencenumerals in FIG. X which are similar to those in FIGS. I IX refer toparts that are alike in structure and in function.

The painting machine shown in FIG. X includes a cabinet 1a supportingangle irons 2a which form its upper side, rear and front marginal edges.An open-topped solvent tank 3a is suitably mounted within the cabinet 1aand supports a round plate 20a to which is fixed a hearing housing 21a.The painting machine includes simplified cam means substituted for thecontinuous cam track 33 shown in FIG. HI. Such simplified cam meansfunctions in the same manner as the continuous cam track 33 and includesa cam track 100 extending horizontally in an are from point A to point-B and secured as by welding to blocks 34a fixed to the front and righthand angle irons 2a. Cam track 100 structural-1y and functionally islike that horizontal part of the cam track 33 which extends from point Ato point B (FIG. III). The simplified cam means also includes two barsor rods 101 attached to the plate 20a and to the tank 3a as shown inFIG. X. Bars 101 have superior simplicity compared to that part of thecam track 33 (FIG. III) which dips into the tank 3.

During rotation of the mask carrier, the hinged mask holders at the camtrack -100 follow the cam track positioning such mask holdershorizontally in the drying and painting stations. When a mask holderreaches point B, its right hand edge as viewed in FIG. H (see lowerhinged mask holder 40 in 'FIG. '11) runs along the left hand bar -1 asviewed in FIG. X dipping the mask holder into the solvent tank 3a andshortly thereafter the opposite edge of the mask holder engages theother bar 101 which cams the mask holder upwardly back onto thehorizontal cam track 100 at point A. In operation, the hinged maskholders are positioned in the several stations in the machine by the cammeans shown in FIG. X, i.e., by the camtrack 100 and bars 101, in thesame manner as they are positioned in the several stations in themachine by the continuous cam track 36 shown in FIG. IH.

Various modifications may be made in specific details of constructionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.780,824, filed December 16, 1958, in the name of Gerald D. Minnick.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. In a machine for spray painting designs upon articles throughaccurately fitting masks, in combination, means defining a paintingstation, a washing station and a drying station, the stations beinglocated along a generally circular path, a solvent tank in the Washingstation, an apertured article and mask carrier mounted to rotate about agenerally vertical axis in a substantially horizontal plane to presentits apertures successively to the stations, the article and mask carrierbeing located above the solvent tank, a continuous fixed cam track whichextends between the stations and that is located below the article andmask carrier and that dips into the solvent tank, mask holders havingfree ends and ends mounted to pivot about generally horizontal axeswithin the apertures in the article and mask carrier, each of the maskholders having an opening therein which registers with the respectiveaperture in the article and mask carrier, means for mounting a selectedmask upon each of the mask holders over its opening, and a spray gun solocated in the painting station as to direct a spray through the masksso mounted over the openings in the mask holders while they are in thepainting station, the free ends of mask holders being supported directlyupon the cam track and following the cam track from station to stationduring rotation of the article and mask carrier, the mask holderspivoting from a generally horizontal position at the painting stationtoward a vertical position at the washing station to dip the masks intothe solvent tank while the masks are at the washing station and pivotingfrom such position at the washing station to said generally horizontalposition upon return to said painting station, the masks drying in thedrying station.

2. In a machine for spray painting designs upon articles throughaccurately fitting masks, in combination, means defining a paintingstation at a first level, a washing station at a different level and adrying station, a solvent tank in the washing station, a continuousfixed cam track defining a path, a portion of which is in the solventtank, extending through the stations, rotatable means having pivotablemembers having free ends directly supported upon the cam track to followthe cam track on rotation of the rotatable means into the solvent tankand through the stations for carrying masks along the path, the masksbeing washed while they are in the solvent tank, the pivotable memberspivoting from a generally horizontal position at the painting stationtoward a vertical position at the Washing station to dip the masks intothe solvent tank while the masks are at the washing station and pivotingfrom'such position at the washing station to said generally horizontalposition upon return to said painting station, and an air blast sprayerso located in the painting station as to direct a spray through themasks while they are in the painting station, the masks drying in thedrying station.

3. In a machine for spray painting designs upon articles throughaccurately fitting masks, in combination, means defining a paintingstation at a first level, a washing station at a different levelcomprising a first and a second section and a drying station, a solventtank in the sections of the washing station, means for creating a streamin solvent in the tank, a continuous fixed cam track defining a path, aportion of which is in the solvent tank, extending through the stations,rotatable means having pivotable members having free ends directlysupported upon the cam track to follow the cam track into the solventtank in a direction opposite to said stream and through the stations forcarrying masks along the path, the cam track being so formed that oneside of each mask generally faces the oncoming stream in the firstsection of the solvent tank and the other side of each mask generallyfaces the oncoming stream in the second section of the solvent tank tofree both sides of the masks of coating compound, the pivotable memberspivoting from a generally horizontal position at the painting stationtoward a vertical position at the Washing station to dip the masks intothe solvent tank While the masks are at the washing station and pivotingfrom such position at the Washing station to said generally horizontalposition upon return to said painting station, and an air blast sprayerso located in the painting station as to direct a spray through themasks while they are in the painting station, the masks drying in thedrying station.

4. A combination spray painting and stencil-mask Washing machinecomprising, in combination, a cabinet, a spray gun compartment in thecabinet, means defining a painting station in the cabinet above thecompartment, means defining a Washing station comprising an opentoppedsolvent tank in the cabinet at a level below the painting station,impeller means for creating a stream in solvent in the tank, meansdefining a drying station, the stations being located along a generallycircular path, an apertured mask carrier mounted to rotate about agenerally vertical axis in a substantially horizontal plane which isabove the solvent tank to present its apertures successively to thestations, the vertical axis being centrally disposed in the cabinet, acontinuous fixed cam track secured within the cabinet which extendsbetween the stations and that is located below the mask carrier and thatdips into the solvent tank, mask holders having free ends and endsmounted to pivot about generally horizontal axes within the apertures inthe mask carrier, each of the mask holders having an opening thereinwhich registers with the respective aperture in the mask carrier, meansfor mounting a selected mask upon each of the mask holders over itsopening, and a spray gun so located within the compartment as to directa spray through the masks so mounted over the openings in the maskholders while they are in the painting station, the free ends of themask holders being held directly on the cam track under the influence ofgravity and following the cam track from station to station and throughthe solvent tank against said stream during rotation of the mask carrierto carry the masks successively into the stations, the mask holderspivoting from a generally horizontal position at the painting stationtoward a vertical position at the washing station to dip the masks intothe solvent tank while the masks are at the washing station and pivotingfrom such position at the washing station to said generally horizontalposition upon return to said painting station, the masks drying in thedrying station.

5. In a machine for spray painting designs upon articles throughaccurately fitting masks, in combination, means defining a paintingstation, a washing station and a drying station, the stations beinglocated along a generally circular path, a solvent tank in the washingstation, an apertured article and mask carrier mounted to rotate about agenerally vertical axis in a substantially horizontal plane to presentits apertures successively to the stations, the article and mask carrierbeing located above the solvent tank, cam means at the stations locatedbelow the article and mask carrier, mask holders mounted to pivot aboutgenerally horizontal axes within the apertures in the article and maskcarrier, each of the mask holders having anopening therein whichregisters with the respective aperture in the article and mask carrier,means for mounting a selected mask upon each of the mask holders overits opening, and a spray gun so located in the painting station as todirect a spray through the masks so mounted over the openings in themask holders while they are in the painting station, the mask holdersbeing supported upon the cam means and following the cam means fromstation to station duiing rotation of the article and mask carrier, themask holders pivoting from a generally horizontal position at thepainting station toward a vertical position at the washing station todip the masks into the solvent tank while the masks are at the washingstation and pivoting from such position at the washing station to saidgenerally horizontal position upon return to said painting station, themasks drying in the drying station.

6. In a machine for spray painting designs upon articles throughaccurately fitting masks, in combination, means defining a paintingstation at a first level, a washing station at a different level and adrying station, a solvent tank in the washing station, cam meansdefining a path, a portion of which is in the solvent tank, extendingthrough the stations, rotatable means having pivotable members supportedupon the cam means to follow the cam means on rotation of the rotatablemeans into the solvent tank and through the stations for carrying masksalong the path, the masks being washed while they are in the solventtank, the pivotable members pivoting from a generally horizontalposition at the painting station toward a vertical position at thewashing station to dip the masks into the solvent tank while the masksare at the washing station and pivoting from such position at thewashing station to said generally horizontal position upon return tosaid painting station, and an air blast sprayer so located in thepainting station as to direct a spray through the masks while they arein the painting station, the masks drying in the drying station.

7. In a machine for spray painting designs upon articles throughaccurately fitting masks, in combination, means defining a paintingstation at a first level, a washing station at a different levelcomprising a first and a second section and a drying station, a solventtank in the sections of the washing station, means for creating a streamin solvent in the tank, cam means defining a path, a portion of which isin the solvent tank, extending through the stations, rotatable meanshavingpivotable members supported upon the cam means to follow the cammeans into the solvent tank in a direction opposite to said stream andthrough the stations for carrying masks along the path, the cam meansbeing so formed that one side of each mask generally faces the oncomingstream in the first section of the solvent tank and the otherside ofeach mask generally faces the oncoming stream in the second section ofthe solvent tank to free both sides of the masks of coating compound,the pivotable members pivoting from a generally horizontal position atthe painting station toward a vertical position at the washing stationto dip the masks into the solvent tank while the masks are at thewashing station and pivoting from such position at the washing stationto said generally horizontal position upon return to said paintingstation, and an air blast sprayer so located in the painting station asto direct a spray through the masks while they are in the paintingstation, the masks drying in the drying station.

8. A combination spray painting and stencil-mask washing machinecomprising, in combination, a cabinet, a spray gun compartment in thecabinet, means defining a painting station in the cabinet above thecompartment, means defining a washing station comprising an open-toppedsolvent tank in the cabinet at a level below the painting station,impeller means for creating a stream in solvent in the tank, meansdefining a drying station, the stations eing located along a generallycircular path, an apertured mask carrier mounted to rotate about agenerally vertical axis in a substantially horizontal plane which isabove the solvent tank to present its apertures successively to thestations, the vertical axis being centrally disposed in the cabinet, cammeans within the cabinet at the stations and located below the maskcarrier, mask holders mounted to pivot about generally horizontal axeswithin the apertures in the mask carrier, each of the mask holdershaving an opening therein which registers within the respective aperturein the mask carrier, means for mounting a selected mask upon each of themask holders over its opening, and

a spray gun so located within the compartment as to direct a spraythrough the masks so mounted over the openings in the mask holders whilethey are in the painting station, the mask holders being held on the cammeans under the influence of gravity and following the, cam means fromstation to station and through the solvent tank against said streamduring rotation of the mask carrier to carry the masks successively intothe stations, the mask holders pivoting from a generally horizontalposition at the painting station toward a vertical position at thewashing station to dip the masks into the solvent tank while the masksare at the washing station and pivoting from such position at thewashing station to said generally horizontal position upon return tosaid painting station, the masks drying in the drying station.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS729,512 Sejnoha et al. May 26, 1903 2,119,720 Reitsnyder June 7, 19382,267,273 Garbe Dec. 23, 1941 2,426,391 Emerson Aug. 26, 1947 2,776,640Miklofshy et al. Jan. 8, 1957 2,783,708 Goy Mar. 5, 1957 2,795,206 FaberJune 11, 1957 2,866,434 MacArthur et al Dec. 30, 1958 2,883,960 Way etal. Apr. 28, 1959 2,928,369 Way et al Mar. 15, 1960

1. IN A MACHINE FOR SPRAY PAINTING DESIGNS UPON ARTICLES THROUGHACCURATELY FITTING MASKS, IN COMBINATION, MEANS DEFINING A PAINTINGSTATION, A WASHING STATION AND A DRYING STATION, THE STATIONS BEINGLOCATED ALONG A GENERALLY CIRCULAR PATH, A SOLVENT TANK IN THE WASHINGSTATION, AN APERTURED ARTICLE AND MASK CARRIER MOUNTED TO ROTATE ABOUT AGENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE TO PRESENTITS APEERTURES SUCCEESSIVELY TO THE STATIONS, THE ARTICLE AND MASKCARRIER BEING LOCATED ABOVE THE SOLVENT TANK, A CONTINUOUS FIXED CAMTRACK WHICH EXTENDS BETWEEN THE STATIONS AND THAT IS LOCATED BELOW THEARTICLE AND MASK CARRIER AND THAT DIPS INTO THE SOLVENT TANK, MASKHOLDERS HAVING FREE ENDS AND ENDS MOUNTED TO PIVOT ABOUT GENERALLYHORIZONTAL AXES WITHIN THE APERTURES IN THE ARTICLE AND MASK CARRIER,EACH OF THE MASK HOLDERS HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN WHICH REGISTERS WITHTHE RESPECTIVE APERTURE IN THE ARTICLE AND MASK CARRIER, MEANS FORMOUNTING A SELECTED MASK UPON EACH OF THE MASK HOLDERS OVER ITS OPENING,AND A SPRAY GUN SO LOCATED IN THE PAINTING STATION AS TO DIRECT A SPRAYTHROUGH THE MASKS SO MOUNTED OVER THE OPENINGS, IN THE MASK HOLDERSWHILE THEY ARE IN THE PAINTING STATION, THE FREE ENDS OF MASK HOLDERSBEING SUPPORTED DIRECTLY UPON THE CAM TRACK AND FOLLOWING THE CAM TRACKFROM STATION TO STATION DURING ROTATION OF THE ARTICLE AND MASK CARRIER,THE MASK HOLDERS PIVOTING FROM A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION AT THEPAINTING STATION TOWARD A VERTICAL POSITION AT THE WASHING STATION TODIP THE MASKS INTO THE SOLVENT TANK WHILE THE MASKS ARE AT THE WASHINGSTATION AND PIVOTING FROM SUCH POSITION AT THE WASHING STATION TO SAIDGENERALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION UPON RETURN TO SAID PAINTING STATION, THEMASKS DRYING IN THE DRYING STATION.